Professor Peter Kremsner receives the prestigious EDCTP Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize
The EDCTP Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize 2023 was given to Professor Peter Kremsner in recognition of his outstanding achievements in advancing health research and capacity development in Africa. The ceremony took place at the Eleventh EDCTP Forum in Paris, France, during the opening session on 7 November 2023. The Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize consists of a recognition trophy and a cash prize of €50,000. The Prize was presented by Ms Sonia Mocumbi, daughter of Dr Pascoal Mocumbi.
Professor Peter Kremsner is an international leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of tropical diseases. In his career of 40 years, he has published more than 700 scientific papers. His exceptional commitment to supporting African and European scientists is reflected in his supervision and promotion of more than 100 doctoral students, nearly half of them Africans. Many are now Professors and Directors in leading positions in research institutions, faculties, and universities.
In 1992 Peter Kremsner became Scientific Director of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné (Gabon) and took it from a research unit of 2 to a current number of over 250 staff, through the creation of the Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) as its founding President.
At CERMEL notable advances have been made through vaccine studies against malaria, hookworms, tuberculosis, and Ebola. When Ebola caused a global threat Professor Kremsner initiated collaborative African efforts that finally delivered the first licensed Ebola vaccine. His work on RTS,S has contributed to the first licensed malaria vaccine, and he has implemented clinical trials on attenuated malaria sporozoite-based vaccines. As part of innovative measures to reduce clinical development pathways for antimalarial drugs and vaccines, Professor Kremsner established a controlled human malaria infection model, in Tubingen and Lambaréné. These approaches now include other infections such as worms.
Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize
The Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize aims to reward an individual in recognition of his/her outstanding achievements in advancing health research and capacity development in Africa with significant impact on the wellbeing of the African population.
The prize is named after Dr Pascoal Mocumbi, EDCTP’s first High Representative and former Prime Minister of Mozambique, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to fostering global partnerships in health research and his support for capacity strengthening in Africa.
Visit the EDCTP website for more information about the Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize.